Method and apparatus for improving a baseball and softball reaction timing

ABSTRACT

A method and an apparatus for improving the reaction timing of an individual to the action of an individual or machine. When used in sports and specifically for baseball hitting reaction timing, the Opposing Pitcher&#39;s ball speed and release point distance is measured. The batting practice pitcher&#39;s or pitching machine&#39;s ball speed is measured. By use of the TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHARTS, the batting practice pitcher or pitching machine is positioned at a pitcher&#39;s mat and the hitter is positioned at a hitter&#39;s mat. The hitter&#39;s mat is positioned proximal at least one batter&#39;s box. A movable home plate is positioned on the hitter&#39;s mat. The hitter and the pitcher are positioned on the respective hitter&#39;s mat and pitcher&#39;s mat by determination, via the conversion charts, of the respective distances which will replicate the ball speed and the release point distance of an opposing pitcher.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to training an individual to react to an action of another individual or machine such that the individual's reaction comprises an effective response. The present invention further is applicable in industry, in military applications and for sports training. The present invention more particularly relates to a method and an apparatus for batting practice in baseball or softball to improve a batter's reaction timing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball and Softball batting practice has routinely been accomplished by the Batter swinging at, or bunting, balls thrown by a person, or propelled by a machine, or other ball propelling apparatus.

The pitched or propelled ball velocity may be fast, slow, or in between and may not have been relative to the Reaction Time the Batters will face against Opposing Pitchers in Real Games. The pitched or propelled ball may have various spins applied to it which causes the ball to move in a variety of directions based on the spin and other factors applied to it.

The Batter will look for the ball to be thrown or propelled. When the Batter recognizes the ball has been thrown or propelled the Batter will time the speed and movement of the ball and then swing the bat at the ball and try to meet the ball at the optimum point in the swing so the bat will hit the ball. Preferably the ball hit by the bat would have ended up in play, in between the foul lines, or in fair territory of the baseball or softball field, if the ball had been hit in a baseball game or softball game.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The method and apparatus disclosed herein will improve the quality of a baseball or softball batting practice session as typically performed today. The invention disclosed is the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM which provides a means for the Batter to work on the reaction timing and reaction timing techniques used in games against a specific for a variety of opposing pitchers while taking batting practice.

The TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM is a method that uses a radar gun or other velocity determining apparatus, a tape measure or other distance measuring device, along with the TIME RIGHT™ BOOKS with TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHARTS, the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100), The TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400), the TIME RIGHT™ BATTERS BOXES (500), a movable pitchers rubber or other RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150), a moveable or stationary home plate or other reference for the batter to set-up to. Live batting practice pitcher, or pitching machine, or other ball propelling apparatus, together enabling Reaction Time Replication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates Note: The TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) on the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) (FIG. 1) is in FEET and TENTHS of a FOOT, (but not limited to it). It is a repetitive solid circle (120) and 1 thru 9 extending from the Front of the Mat (130) (nearest End of the Mat (140) to the RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150)) to the REAR OF THE MAT (160) (farthest End of the Mat (140) from the RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150)). This is so the MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) or other POINT OF CONTACT REFERENCE (200) can be repositioned on the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100). The RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300), and Point of Contact (310), from the Batting Practice Pitchers, or Pitching machines Release Point, can easily be adjusted on the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) with out re-measuring the distance. The Batter moves to a different position which changes his or her Reaction Time.

FIG. 1A shows Example 1, 2, and 5 of using the Preferred Method of Replicating Reaction Time along with the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM HITTERS MAT (100) and BATTERS BOX Apparatus SET-UP along with, a MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) and a Pitching Machine Example 1, a MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) and a Movable Pitchers Rubber Example 2, and 2 Movable Home Plates (200) and a Movable Pitchers Rubber Example 5. The Preferred Method disclosed here will improve the Reaction Timing of Baseball, and Soft Ball Batters, by enabling them to work on their Reaction Timing they use in Real Games, and their Reaction Timing Techniques they use in Real Games against a Specific, or a Variety of Opposing Pitchers. This Being Accomplished While Taking Batting Practice. Seen in FIG. 1A are Diagrams of the TIME RIGHT™ BATTERS BOXES (500) and TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MATS (100), along with diagrams of a pitching machine, movable pitchers rubbers and movable home plates (200), and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300)s with MAT set up.

FIG. 1B shows the NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) at the HITTERS MAT (100).

FIG. 2 shows the way the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) (FIG.2) can be used to make RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) Adjustments when using a Movable Pitchers Rubber, or other RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) Object. The Release point reference marks (410) or Movable Pitchers Rubber Change Position to adjust the RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) from the Point of Contact (310). The Batting Practice Pitcher moves to change the Reaction Time. The TIME RIGHT™ PITCHERS MATS (400) unique NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) is in Feet and Tenths of a Foot, (but not limited to it). It is a repetitive solid circle and 1 thru 9 extending from the Front of the Mat (130) (nearest end of Mat to the Batter) to the rear of Mat (farthest End of the Mat (140) from the Batter).The RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) marks (referring to FIG.2) represent any whole foot position and can be used by the Batting Practice Pitcher to reference his or her Release Point. The solid circles indicate any whole foot position when the Release Point Reference Mark is covered by a Movable Pitchers Rubber, or other RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) Object. These RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) Marks and whole foot indication marks (solid circles, but not limited to them) are what make the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) unique. The Tenths numbers 1 thru 9 indicate that portion of a foot. The Tenths number or solid circle remain showing when the Movable Pitchers Rubber is in place on the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) for that whole foot, or whole foot and Tenths distance position. The RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) Marks, or a properly placed Movable Pitchers Rubber on the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400), are used to mark one end of a specific RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300). The TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) can be 6′, 8′, 10′, 12′, etc. long and 3′, 4′, 5′, 6′, etc. wide but not limited to these dimensions. The TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) is used as part of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE.

FIG. 2A illustrates the NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) at the PITCHERS MAT (400).

FIG. 3 illustrates The TIME RIGHT™ MOVABLE BATTERS BOX (500) (FIG. 3) is typically a 4′×6′ Mat made of a batting cage turf, or other type of artificial turf (but not limited to this material or size) and may have a foam, rubber, or other type backing attached to the turf. The total thickness of the mat may vary from less than ¼″ to over 1″. The border around the BATTERS BOX (500) may be up to 4″ wide and may extend inward around the outer parameter. The DIAMOND Shape Alignment Marks (510) are located at the half way point of the BATTERS BOX (500) length. A typical Batters Box in professional baseball will be 6 ft. long and the Alignment Marks (510) are located at the 3 ft., or half way point. In softball, or other types of youth baseball the BATTERS BOXES size and Alignments Marks would correspond to the layout of the batters boxes on the field to be played on for that particular game. The Alignment Marks (510) allow for easy BATTERS BOX (500) Alignment to a stationary, or MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) or other POINT OF CONTACT REFERENCE (200). The TIME RIGHT™ BATTERS BOX (500) has 2 Alignment Marks (510) and accommodate both right and left handed Batters as well as right and left Batters Box placement. These Alignment Marks (510) are what make the TIME RIGHT™ MOVABLE BATTERS BOXES (500) unique as they can be adjusted to work as part of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM.

FIG. 4. illustrates the BATTERS BOX (500), Pitcher's Mat (400), Hitters Mat (100), Pitchers Rubber and the MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1B, the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) (FIG. 1) is typically a 29″×6′ Mat made of batting cage turf, or other types of artificial turf (but not limited to this material or size) and may have a foam, rubber, or other type backing attached to the turf. The total thickness of the mat may vary from less than a ¼″ to over 1″ and will have the TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) on the top surface. The width of the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) is typically made to the dimension between the two batters boxes. In regulation professional baseball 29 inches is that number. In softball, or other types of youth baseball the width of the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) would correspond to the layout of the batters boxes on the field to be played on for that particular game. The TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) length is typically 6 ft. long but not limited to that number. The TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) is in feet and 10ths of a foot. There are no whole foot numbers on the mat. Instead there are marks, solid circles (but not limited to this shape) in the place of all whole foot numbers. The solid circles represent any whole foot number. These marks, solid circles are what make the TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) unique. This NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) enables a full range of Reaction Time distance adjustment using only one TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100). The HITTERS MAT (100) is used as part of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM. A MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) is placed on the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) to mark one end of a specific RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300).

By reference to FIG. 1A a Detailed Explanation follows of Examples 1, 2 and 5 as follows: The Opposing Pitcher's Fast Ball is released at 95 mph, and 95 mph will be used in all three Examples. The Opposing Pitcher's Release Point is 54.5 feet and will be used in all three Examples. The Opposing Pitcher's Change Up Ball is Released at 85 mph and is used in Example 5. Referring to FIG. 1A. Example 1 The Pitching Machine Release Point Ball Speed (BP Speed) is 55 mph and is Converted to 43.0 feet (RPD) using the TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHARTS. Referring to FIG. 1A. Example 2 The Batting Practice Pitchers Release Point Ball Speed (BP Speed) is 55 mph and is converted to 31.6 feet (RPD) using the TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHARTS. Referring to FIG. 1A. Example 5 The Batting Practice Pitchers Release Point Ball Speed (BP Speed) is 53 mph and is Converted to 30.4 feet (RPD) Fast Ball and 34.0 feet (RPD) Change Up, using the TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHARTS. The Converted BP SPEEDS and Release Point Distances(300) (RPD's) are approximately equal in Reaction Time To that of the Opposing Pitcher or Model that is being Replicated.

As seen in FIG. 2, the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) (FIG. 2) is typically a 5′×10′ Mat made of batting cage turf, or other type of artificial turf (but not limited to this material or size) and may have a foam, rubber, or other type backing attached to the turf. The total thickness of the mat may vary from less than ¼″ to over 1″ and may have RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) Marks as well as the TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) extending Front to Back on the top surface.

FIG. 3 shows The TIME RIGHT™ MOVABLE BATTERS BOX (500) (FIG. 3) is typically a 4′×6′ Mat made of a batting cage turf, or other type of artificial turf (but not limited to this material or size) and may have a foam, rubber, or other type backing attached to the turf. The total thickness of the mat may vary from less than ¼″ to over 1″. The border around the BATTERS BOX (500) may be up to 4″ wide and may extend inward around the outer parameter. The DIAMOND Shape Alignment Marks (510) are located at the half way point of the BATTERS BOX (500) length. A typical Batters Box in professional baseball will be 6 ft. long and the Alignment Marks (510) are located at the 3 ft., or half way point. In softball, or other types of youth baseball the BATTERS BOXES size and Alignments Marks would correspond to the layout of the batters boxes on the field to be played on for that particular game. The Alignment Marks (510) allow for easy BATTERS BOX (500) Alignment to a stationary, or MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) or other POINT OF CONTACT REFERENCE (200). The TIME RIGHT™ BATTERS BOX (500) has a first end (520) and a second end (530). In the preferred embodiment there are has 2 Alignment Marks (510) intermediate the first end (520) and the second end (530) to accommodate both right and left handed Batters as well as right and left Batters Box placement. The Alignment Marks (510) allow alignment with the 45° angle of the Movable Home Plate (200). These Alignment Marks (510) are what make the TIME RIGHT™ MOVABLE BATTERS BOXES (500) unique as they can be adjusted to work as part of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM.

FIG. 4 provides a view of all components of the invention apparatus. By reference to FIG. 4, it is further understood that the RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) is the distance in between a Release Point and a Point of Contact (310). The Point of Contact (310) is the theoretical Point where an Opposing Pitchers Ball would Catch Up to the Batting Practice Pitchers Ball, or Pitching Machines Ball, if Released at the same time. The two Balls would be traveling at different velocities and distances but would meet at the Point of Contact (310). The Opposing Pitchers Ball Velocity and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) equals the Batting Practice Pitchers, or Pitching Machines, Ball Velocity and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) in Reaction Time. Reaction Time equals the amount of time it takes the Ball to travel a given distance at a given velocity. FIG. 4 illustrates the Preferred Set Up of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM MATS along with a MOVABLE HOME PLATE (200) and Movable Pitchers Rubber. The RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) is equal to the distance from the Rear Edge of the Movable Pitchers Rubber or other RELEASE POINT REFERENCE (150) to the Point of Contact (310). This distance is equal to the distance in between the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) and TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) (usually a whole foot number) plus the distance from the Front Edge of the TIME RIGHT™ Pitcher's Mat (400) to the Rear Edge of the movable pitchers rubber, plus the distance from the front Edge of the TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) to the Point of Contact (310). This configuration represents any whole foot and 5 tenths.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method of TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM comprising: a. determining an opposing pitchers ball speed, or Model Speed, and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) (RPD) to Replicate; b. determining or choosing the Model Speed and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) (if one was to create a Model to Replicate); c. determining the Batting Practice Pitcher's or Pitching Machine's, ball speed to convert to RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300); d. converting, by reference to the appropriate TIME RIGHT™ CONVERSION CHART, the Batting Practice Pitchers or Pitching Machines Release Point (320) Ball Speed to RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300); the Batting Practice Pitchers Ball speed and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) are approximately equal in Reaction Time to that of the Opposing Pitchers or Models Reaction that is being replicated; the Pitching Machines Ball Speed and RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) are approximately equal in Reaction Time to that of the Opposing Pitchers or Models Reaction Time that is being Replicated.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. determining the the Opposing Pitchers ball speed by measuring the speed with a Radar Gun in miles per hour (mph) at the Release Point (320); determining the RELEASE POINT DISTANCE (300) by measuring from the Opposing Pitchers Release Point (320) (RP) which is the point the ball releases from the pitchers hand to the Rear point of Home; b. determining the Batting Practice Pitchers ball speed by measuring the speed with a Radar gun in Miles per hour (mph) at the Batting Practice Pitchers Release Point (320) (RP), (the point the ball releases from the Batting Practice Pitchers; determining the pitching machines ball speed by measuring with a Radar Gun in Miles per hour (mph) at the Pitching Machines Release Point (320) (RP), (the point the ball Releases or Exits, from the Pitching Machine.
 3. An apparatus of the TIME RIGHT™ BASEBALL BATTING PRACTICE SYSTEM comprising: a. a TIME RIGHT™ HITTERS MAT (100) having a Rear of Mat and a Front of Mat (130); a TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) from the Rear of Mat (160) to the Front of Mat; b. a movable home Plate (200); c. a TIME RIGHT™ PITCHERS MAT (400) having Release Point Reference Marks (410); the PITCHERS MAT (400) aligned with the HITTERS MAT (100); d. at least one TIME RIGHT™ MOVABLE BATTERS BOX (500) having Alignment Marks (510) proximal the movable home Plate (200); e. the movable home Plate (200) positioned on the HITTERS MAT (100) intermediate the Front of Mat (130) and the Rear of Mat (160).
 4. An apparatus of claim 3 further comprising: a. the TIME RIGHT™ NUMBERING SYSTEM (110) at the HITTERS MAT (100) and at the PITCHER'S MAT (400); b. at least one Alignment Marks (510) at the BATTERS BOX (500) intermediate a first end (520) and a second end (530). 